ALIENS Informe resumido

Demographic matrix model for Sargassum muticum

Our study shows that of the many demographic characteristics that theoretically can be beneficial for a species to invade new territory Sargassum muticum at our study locations mostly relies on persistence of non-reproductive adults. Since adult individuals have a high longevity the species only needs an occasionally year with effective recruitment. This however also implies that when the species enters an area with a lot of available substrate and survival conditions population growth rates can be high.

Our model only worked on a local scale and was closed for net input or output of migrants therefore, dispersal events were not accounted for. This was done on purpose since no data is yet available on the connectivity of 'populations' on any spatial scale. However this also means we were not able to evaluate the importance of short and long distance dispersal for local population growth.